Norbert E. Kaiser, 70, Bennington, passed away Monday, December 26, 2011 at the Salina Regional Health Center, Salina. He was born March 12, 1941 in Quinter to Frank and Susanna (Ochs) Kaiser.

During his high school years, Norbert enjoyed being a pitcher in baseball and playing basketball. He often told his kids how he threw a baseball so hard he broke his arm ending his career. What he neglected to say was that this happened while he was the starting pitcher in his 3rd consecutive game in the same day! Throughout his life, Norbert had continued to enjoy watching his beloved Kansas Jayhawks basketball on TV.

Norbert joined the Army after high school and spent some time in Fort Riley before he was stationed in Germany for the rest of his time in the military. He was discharged early because his Father, Frank, became ill with Parkinson's disease.

He was a farmer for the vast majority of his life and raised wheat, milo, alfalfa, corn, sunflowers, and soybeans. He also raised cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, and turkeys.

He was an USD 292 school board member while his kids were in school at Park Grade and Wheatland High Schools.

Some of Norbert's hobbies included: fishing for channel cat, bass, or whatever would eat the worm! He enjoyed watching NASCAR racing on TV and visiting Minneapolis Raceway to watch the dirt track cars. In his younger years, he thoroughly enjoyed bowling and participating in tractor pulls. He earned many trophies in both and has them proudly displayed in his home.

Norbert owned a few pieces of equipment which he was very proud of. Many he used in his daily activities such as a Ford Bi-directional tractor, a little Ford 8N tractor, and an Allis Chalmers tractor which he used to pull square and round balers to put up his alfalfa. His prize possession though was a 1948 Kaiser car which he would often take for a leisurely cruise.

Norbert and Mary Ann Zerr were married on August 5th, 1967 in Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Grainfield, KS. They were proud parents of five children and 15 grandchildren which include:

Eugene Kaiser who has two sons, Justin and Richard, resides in New Braunfels, TX.

Allen and Lynn Kaiser are the parents of three children: Michaela, Aubrey, and Andrew and currently live in Salina, KS.

Shane and Shawna Goff have three children, Zane, Rylee, and Paige, and reside in Gilbert, AZ.

Rick and Belinda Romines are the parents of two girls, Cienna and Sayge, and reside in Independence, MO.

Chris Kaiser and Lea Coulter are the parents of Dylan Kaiser and Tacey Coulter and currently live in Bennington, KS.

Curtis and Emilie Kaiser are the parents of three children: Landon, Brady, and Emma and currently call Spring Hill, KS their home.

Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. Wednesday at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis where the family will receive friends from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Another visitation will be from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, where a rosary and prayer vigil will be at 6 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 A.M. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ottawa County or Sacred Heart Church.